Date: Saturday 3 May 2014
Distance: 14.5 miles
Footpaths: Peddars Way National Trail
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path
Time: 6.5 hrs with stops
Counties: Suffolk – Norfolk
Weather: Cloudy but warm & dry
Terrain: Mixed but flat
Clothing: Solomon Womens Tee, Katmandu Ladies Zip Off Trousers, Trespass Lycra shorts, Northface Walking Boots, Thorlos Walking Socks, Northface Micro Fleece, Jack Wolfskin – Highland Trail 46 Women’s rucksack
Maps: OS Landranger 144
Books: Trailblazer Guide to Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path
Travel
Driven by sister from home to carpark at start of Peddars Way
Alternative option – Train to Thetford + Taxi to start of trail
Driven to and from pub in Great Cressingham by Jim from the B&B
Rest Stops
Breakfast stop en route to start of path- Walkers Snacks, Thetford Forest Park, off A1065
Freshly baked Sausage Roll.
Drink at The Dog & Partridge, Stonebridge.
Dogs welcome in pub – resident pub dogs. Sat outside in garden. Half an Aspalls cider.
Dinner at The Olde Windmill Inn, Great Cressingham.
Dog welcome in bar area. Other dogs inside pub and in garden.
Cheddar Ploughmans + jacket potato
Half a Windy Miller Ale
Pubs/cafes passed but not visited
None on Peddars Way
Accommodation
Sycamore House B&B, Little Cressingham. 1 night single occupancy room, shared bathroom, including breakfast – £40
Jim & Ben the Jack Russell puppy were great hosts. Lift to and from the next village for dinner at the pub was much appreciated. Very homely house right on Peddars Way. Hot breakfast choices plus juice & cereal in conservatory. Room upstairs made night wees more difficult but not impossible.
Notes
Walk slowed by heavy rucksack (full of dog food)
Had to pick up dog and run across very busy A11. Also crossed train line although tunnel alternative available.
Public toilets in car park next to A11
No dog poo bins – used biodegradable bags and buried them off the path
Occasionally met other walkers and a few cyclists but trail generally very quiet.
Scenery more varied than expected
Last section alongside B1108 which was quite busy
No activity on Military Firing Range but could be a problem for dogs who don’t like loud noises
Birds spotted
Pheasant, Red-Legged Partridge, Shellduck, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Coal Tit, Buzzard, Crow, Pied Wagtail, Swallow, Skylark, Robin, Goldfinches, Blackbird, Starling, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Treecreeper, Rook
Other Wildlife
Muntjac deer, Rabbits, Hares,
Orange Tip Butterfly, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Large White, Grizzled Skipper
LongWalkswiththeShortDog 